Well, okay, they look like braces. But when they are all finished doing their job, your teeth will be beautiful, and your smile will be amazing!

While you are wearing your braces, we’d like to remind you that there are things that you can do to help your braces do their job as fast as possible, and to make sure that your teeth are healthy and beautiful:

Regular Appointments: Be sure to come and see us for all of your regularly scheduled appointments. Your braces need to be adjusted every four weeks or so in order to do their job and correct your bite. If you miss appointments, your treatment time could be extended.
Loose Bands or Brackets: If you have a loose band or bracket, call us right away. We will make arrangements to see you as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment coming soon, please call us. We can’t always fit in the time it takes to do a repair during your regular visit. Loose bands or brackets will definitely prolong treatment. More here
Brushing: Brush your teeth frequently and thoroughly. Poor brushing can lead to permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
Your Family Dentist: Visit your family dentist regularly during your treatment. You want to be sure that your teeth stay healthy and free of decay during your treatment.
Sugar: Avoid excess sugar and pop, and be sure to brush right away after any sugary treats.
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Foods to avoid with braces

Even with braces, you can eat most of the foods that you normally like. However, there are some things that you should avoid because they can break or damage your braces.

Gum, sugarless or otherwise

Sticky foods – caramels, Sugar Daddies, Sugar Babies, Starbursts; licorice, Tootsie Rolls, toffee, caramel apples
Hard foods – nuts, hard candy, popcorn, hard pizza crust, apples or carrots (unless cooked or cut into small pieces), ice, corn on the cob, jerky
Avoid biting on pens and pencils
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Foods you CAN eat with braces

Meats/poultry – chicken, meatballs, burgers, lunch meats, etc.
Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes, shrimp, etc.
Vegetables – lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, etc.
Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Bread – soft bread, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
Fruits – harder fruits cut into pieces, applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
Treats – ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake, pie
In fact, most of your favorite foods
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Handling Orthodontic Emergencies

Any injury to the teeth or gums can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment in the future. Here’s a quick summary of what to do for some common difficulties with braces.

Broken Archwires: If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue or gums, call us right away so that we can schedule you for an appointment to repair it. Until your appointment, try using the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can’t reposition the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or a piece of gauze until you can get to us. Never cut the wire.
Loose Brackets and Bands: If a bracket or band loosens or breaks, please call us right away so that we can schedule you for an appointment for repairs. While you are waiting to come to see us, temporarily reattach loose braces with a small piece of orthodontic wax. Alternatively, place the wax over the braces to provide a cushion. See us as soon as possible. If the problem is a loose band, save it and call us for an appointment to have it re-cemented or replaced (and to have missing spacers replaced). More on this website

What to Do if You or a Loved One has Experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is an increasingly common diagnosis that actually affects millions of Americans each year.

There are a variety of causes and degrees of severity that may range from mild to moderate. The impact of such a diagnosis is life altering. If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury it is always wise to seek legal consultation; even if unsure of who or if anyone may be at fault.

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury:
Some of the most common causes of brain injury are the result of accidents, these my include construction accidents, vehicle accidents and medical mishaps. For too many incidences, these injuries could have been avoided and may be due to negligence or wrongdoing of another party. This can be very complex and the average person may not even be aware of this without obtaining proper legal consultation. contact us

Lifelong Disability
A traumatic brain injury can cause lifelong disability, no matter how minor the injury seems. So-called minor effects can include but is not limited to problems with speech, memory and even concentration. Major problems may include remaining in a vegetative state or coma, partial or full paralysis and limited movement of the body. Other issues can involve problems with speech and speech recognition, emotional instability or the individual may lose the ability to think logically on an age-appropriate level. Financial ImpactThe financial impact as a result of a traumatic brain injury is often severe for the victim and family. Due to the previously mentioned disabilities, these individuals may not be able to hold down employment. This can create a huge problem especially if the victim is the sole breadwinner or relied on employer-sponsored health care. The cost of medical care alone is expensive without the kind of care that may be required following a brain injury. However, the victim or the family may be entitled to compensation that can cover a variety of things which can include: medical bills, deprivation of companionship loss of income altered quality of lifecare of dependents.

Do Not Accept Settlement Offers
Due to the financial uncertainty, accepting a settlement offer from a corporation or insurance company may seem like the best option. This is never recommended. Typically, these companies will offer much less than what the claim may be worth and once accepted the party at fault cannot be held further liable. This means that the burden of future problems, as a result, will fall to the injured or their family. If approached with any type of offer for compensation, it should be ran by an attorney experienced in traumatic brain injury claims. Seek Consultation as Soon as Possible.
Do not wait to seek legal consultation if you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury. Contacting an established legal firm immediately can save a lot of time, money and hassle. This can allow an experienced member of the legal team to begin scrutinizing the details of the injury immediately to determine if there may be a reason to file claim for compensation. There are time limitations to file suit in many areas. There are no charges associated with an initial consultation and no obligation, so there is nothing to lose. Rather, the victim and the family can gain peace of mind knowing that someone may be able to help.
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